For Glory and for Beauty
I am a Christian. On May 9, 1985 I bowed my head and my heart and personally trusted the Lord as my Saviour! So many things changed about my life on that day - for one I thing I became conscious of the Lord in every part of my life - I thought about Him all the time. I was grateful for my gift of salvation and of the sacrifice that was made for my soul...and I found myself wanting to please Him.
I hadn't been saved too long before I realized that the way I was dressing was probably not especially pleasing to the Lord. Now I know many women get a mental picture that the Lord wants you to look like the old school nuns, but that is not the case at all! I was reminded of that fact again this morning as I was reading my Bible. I was reading from Exodus 28:1-2 which says, "And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons.And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty." I know this is from the Old Testament and refers to the way the priests should dress, but in the New Testament, II Peter 2:9, we learn that as Christians we become priests ourselves! "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:"
Clearly God wants us to dress in such a way that brings Glory to Him, peculiar (not weird), and for beauty. I remember when I was first going to church I invited my then unsaved mother to a ladies event; I was so excited that she was willing to come to something at my new church...what I didn't anticipate was that she was checking things out to see who was influencing her daughter. We hadn't been there too long before my mother very discreetly whispered and said, "I hope that you don't start dressing like some of these ladies!" Ouch!!! No woman wants to be viewed as someone "not to dress like." My mom was referring to a few ladies that had determined that being holy meant being sure that everything is too loose and too long, with "comfortable" shoes - or even to those that feel safe as long as their style matches the 50's! Dressing like the 50's is fun for an activity, but would probably look weird for everyday dress.
Psalm 45:13 teaches us how to dress as daughter's of the King of Kings - "The king’s daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold." The way we dress is a reflection of what is in our hearts. As we choose our clothing, we are in essence stating who we wish to emulate. This is especially evident in teens, you can always tell who they admire by who they imitate in their dress, actions, and even their choice of slang. You know, there are the gothics, the skaters, those that like Hannah Montana, and so on - you can tell who they like by how they dress. Not too long ago of my granddaughters told her daddy that she wanted her hair cut like the girl on the cartoon Bolt and she is only 4 years old! See, we decide who we like and then we begin to try to look like that person.
Ladies, as Christians let's look like daughters of the King of Kings - as royalty and yes, like priests - they were the first ones that God said should dress for glory and for beauty. Everywhere you go you should be "shewing forth the praises" of God. Remember "He hath made every thing beautiful in his time..." Ecclesiastes 3:11 It is not wrong to strive to dress beautifully, just make sure you remember that with that you should bring glory to God.
Today as your plan what to wear, remember to dress for glory AND for beauty...sorry ladies I don't find a verse particularly telling us to make sure we dress for comfort - but certainly when your clothes actually fit you, they will feel comfortable, and when you know you have done your best to dress for glory and for beauty you will feel much better than if you just throw on whatever and then hope no one sees you. Let the world see all the glory and beauty that the Lord has placed in your heart! Have a wonderful day!
I hadn't been saved too long before I realized that the way I was dressing was probably not especially pleasing to the Lord. Now I know many women get a mental picture that the Lord wants you to look like the old school nuns, but that is not the case at all! I was reminded of that fact again this morning as I was reading my Bible. I was reading from Exodus 28:1-2 which says, "And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons.And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty." I know this is from the Old Testament and refers to the way the priests should dress, but in the New Testament, II Peter 2:9, we learn that as Christians we become priests ourselves! "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:"
Clearly God wants us to dress in such a way that brings Glory to Him, peculiar (not weird), and for beauty. I remember when I was first going to church I invited my then unsaved mother to a ladies event; I was so excited that she was willing to come to something at my new church...what I didn't anticipate was that she was checking things out to see who was influencing her daughter. We hadn't been there too long before my mother very discreetly whispered and said, "I hope that you don't start dressing like some of these ladies!" Ouch!!! No woman wants to be viewed as someone "not to dress like." My mom was referring to a few ladies that had determined that being holy meant being sure that everything is too loose and too long, with "comfortable" shoes - or even to those that feel safe as long as their style matches the 50's! Dressing like the 50's is fun for an activity, but would probably look weird for everyday dress.
Psalm 45:13 teaches us how to dress as daughter's of the King of Kings - "The king’s daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold." The way we dress is a reflection of what is in our hearts. As we choose our clothing, we are in essence stating who we wish to emulate. This is especially evident in teens, you can always tell who they admire by who they imitate in their dress, actions, and even their choice of slang. You know, there are the gothics, the skaters, those that like Hannah Montana, and so on - you can tell who they like by how they dress. Not too long ago of my granddaughters told her daddy that she wanted her hair cut like the girl on the cartoon Bolt and she is only 4 years old! See, we decide who we like and then we begin to try to look like that person.
Ladies, as Christians let's look like daughters of the King of Kings - as royalty and yes, like priests - they were the first ones that God said should dress for glory and for beauty. Everywhere you go you should be "shewing forth the praises" of God. Remember "He hath made every thing beautiful in his time..." Ecclesiastes 3:11 It is not wrong to strive to dress beautifully, just make sure you remember that with that you should bring glory to God.
Today as your plan what to wear, remember to dress for glory AND for beauty...sorry ladies I don't find a verse particularly telling us to make sure we dress for comfort - but certainly when your clothes actually fit you, they will feel comfortable, and when you know you have done your best to dress for glory and for beauty you will feel much better than if you just throw on whatever and then hope no one sees you. Let the world see all the glory and beauty that the Lord has placed in your heart! Have a wonderful day!
I love this! I'd never put those verses together - the priests clothing and we are a royal priesthood - but I have always believed we should dress well and not look like we stepped out of a Goodwill box (not that you can't find nice things at Goodwill!). I'm saving this one to use in the future!
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I've introduced myself or not. I've been following your blog for a few months now. I'm an independent Baptist missionary/pastor's wife in Vancouver, Canada. I've enjoyed your blog!
Hi Susan, it is good to meet you:) Thank you for your words of encouragement. It is my prayer that this blog will be of help and encouragment to other ladies, and perhaps even a tool to witness for the Lord. May the Lord bless your ministry in Vancouver!
ReplyDeleteHi Terrie I enjoyed your tender touch. I know this isn't always a popular subject, but much needed, especially today. When your Dad and I go out we are shocked to see how ladies go out wearing pajamas and slippers. Thank you for writing this important message, love Mom & Dad
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